Child Golf Prodigy Lucy Li Next Tiger Woods Qualifies U.S. Women's Open Debut

Child Golf Prodigy Lucy Li Next Tiger Woods U.S. Women's Open / Lucy Li, an 11-year-old from Redwood Shores, Calif., is the youngest ever to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open. She has been prepping here for two weeks already, the first of the 156-player field to register for the championship, and has met the likes of Webb Simpson, her favorite player, Annika Sorenstam and Anna Nordquist. How did the precocious golfer, who is too young to compete in an AJGA event, earn a spot in the biggest event in women's golf? On May 19 at Half Moon Bay (Calif.) Golf Links' Old Course, Li shot 74-68 for an even-par total of 142 to earn medalist honors by seven strokes in a sectional qualifier. Afterwards, she celebrated with dinner at her favorite restaurant and a trip to the movie theater to see "The Amazing Spider Man 2." The word "prodigy" is as overused and devalued in our society as the word "amazing." Li seems to merit both. A year ago, she became the youngest to qualify for the U.S. Women's Amateur and the youngest to make it to match play at the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship. In April, she won her age group in the inaugural Drive, Chip and Putt competition at Augusta National. She got hooked to the game at age 7, tagging along to the driving range with her brother, now a student at Princeton University, who played on his high school golf team. When Li joined TGA Golf Club of Northern California in 2011, her handicap was 8.0. She's currently a +1.5, and takes lessons from Jim McLean at his academy at Trump Doral Resort in Miami. Can Li's father beat her, she was asked? Li's head snapped back as she broke into laughter. "No," she said, giggling some more, and a roomful of reporters laughed with her. She may be 11, but Li appears to be wise beyond her years. She dreamed big, earned her place, and has portrayed the perfect attitude. "The game's going to take me wherever it's going to take me," she said.